Sara Phillips, the manager of the closed-for-renovations University Heights branch library and now temporary overseer of the library's Bookmobile, recognized that the library is already a place where young people gather. Working with Karen McHenry, manager of Bellefaire JCB's Homeless and Missing Youth Program, Phillips has helped make the CH-UH Library's branches a place where troubled youths can find a secure, safe place.

"Bellefaire is the local safe place organization and (McHenry) is our liaison from Bellefaire," Phillips said. "People may not think that things like human trafficking happen here in Cleveland Heights, but the reality is that it does."

About a million teens nationwide run away from home for a number of reasons, including abuse, neglect, family conflicts and other issues. While many of those who run away return home soon after, McHenry said, "Within 48 hours (of becoming homeless) many youths are solicited for sex."

Bellefaire JCB, 22001 Fairmount Blvd. in University Heights, is among the nation's largest child service agencies. It provides a variety of behavioral health, substance abuse, education and prevention services.

The Safe Place initiative, operated by Bellefaire JCB, is part of a national network of Safe Place programs in 37 states and the District of Columbia. Nearly 20,000 community businesses and organizations nationwide display the Safe Place sign.

Many school-age children go to libraries after school and, Phillips said, "I'm glad they do. "I'm glad they look at the library as a place they want to go."

The placement of yellow and black "Safe Place" signs at library entrances will, library officials hope, give teens the feeling that they can escape a bad situation by going to the branches and get help.

Branches are located at 2175 Lee Road, 1925 Coventry Road and 2800 Noble Road, in Cleveland Heights. The renovated University Heights branch13866 Cedar Road, is expected to re-open at an unspecified date this fall.

Phillips said all 70-plus library personnel who work directly with the public have been trained to handle situations pertaining to troubled young people. Young people are encouraged to approach library staff members for help.

"We've trained library personnel to look for warning signs, to find out where the (young people) are staying and if they're hungry," McHenry said.

A call is placed to Bellefaire's 24-hours-per-day hotline to help homeless and missing youths, 216-570-8010.

Young people are also encouraged to call the number to access immediate help, or text to the word "safe" and their current location (address, city, state) to 69866. They will receive back a text message letting them know the closest Safe Place location and the phone number for the local youth shelter.

All Cleveland Public Library branches are Safe Places, as are RTA buses and trains. The Ch-Uh Libraries are the first suburban libraries to become Safe Places.

"We are very proud to be an official partner of this crucial support service for our community's kids," said Heights Libraries Director Nancy Levin, in a release. "The Safe Place designation fits right in with our values that call on us to provide our customers with whatever assistance we can."